by Rebecca Hannant
The public are invited to have their say on proposals for a temporary 49.9 MW AC solar farm near Hedon.
Applicants behind the Neat Marsh Solar Farm have launched a website giving residents the chance to learn more about the project and provide feedback, which will be considered during the refinement of plans ahead of a formal planning application.
According to the website, the project is expected to operate for 50 years and would generate up to 49.9 megawatts of electricity – enough to power approximately 15,000 homes. The plans also include landscaping improvements to help screen the development from view.
The project is described as fully reversible, preserving the agricultural use of the land once decommissioned.
A spokesman said: “The UK’s electricity demand is forecast to double by 2050 as we transition away from polluting fossil fuels to clean electric power to help address climate change. The demand is driven by many factors including the growing use of electric cars, the transition away from gas and oil boilers to electric heat pumps and the growing number of UK households.
“This demand, coupled with decommissioning of fossil fuel power stations across the UK, requires a five-fold increase in the deployment of solar PV across the UK.
“The UK must also address energy security and become far less reliant on volatile foreign energy markets which have caused the recent spikes in household energy bills.
“The proposed solar farm development will help to meet this growing demand by providing a supply of clean, safe electricity for approximately 15,000 homes.
“It would connect into the local distribution network providing renewable energy to local people. It will help to tackle climate change, help to improve the UK’s energy security and does not require government subsidy.”
The local community is also expected to benefit from a locally delivered Community Benefits Scheme. If approved, construction could begin in 2026.
To have your say, visit neatmarshsolarfarm.co.uk